I have installed a LOT of them ....I do not understand why Sydngoose likes the Minkota better? I like the Rodan Better and thats where my $ would be spent.....
Here's why: Minkota has a separate Puck antenna that has to be installed....It does make a difference where it's installed....I try to mount them in the right hand corner of the top of the console. Rodan.....It's right on the unit.
TM in stowed position.....Minkota....Flapping in the Breeze as your running....NO shaft support.
Rodan.....Has shaft support to lock it down...Last thing you want in rough seas is that thing moving.
Remote Control....Minkota has twice as many buttons on it.... Rodan Simple and straight forward.
Wart: hey bud! The “puck Antenna" is called a heading sensor: this heading sensor does one thing only: Allows you to "jog" 5 feet in any direction: this is simply a heading sensor that has bluetooth communication to the motor and tells the motor the longitudinal axis of the boat to "jog". If you don't install it on the boat, you just can't "jog" while on anchor...but you can manually press the arrows on your remote to move the boat. This heading sensor has nothing to do with anchoring, GPS or Spot Locking: it is for another feature/ option all together.
The GPS sensor IS in the Minn Kota head just like Rhodan. In fact, on my last Minn Kota installation on the Parker 2320, I didn't even install the heading sensor because I don't need to jog. What you describe as "Rhodan ...its' right on the unit"... you are referring to the GPS sensor ( which is also in the same location Minn Kota or rhodan: INSIDE the motor).
Rhodan doesn't have a heading sensor because Rhodan doesn't have a "jog" feature.
TM in stowed positon.... Minn Kota ALSO comes with a shaft stabilization kit ( no extra cost...comes w/ the motor): it is the same with Rhodan: both have shaft stabilization kits. I always just use a RAM mount for the shaft stabilization when stowed: minn kota or Rhodan. So, to say Minn Kota "flaps in the wind" is not accurate: it has the shaft stabilization as well. Anyone who installs a 72" , 84", 87" or 96" shaft absolutely MUST also mount a shaft stabilization kit: that could be a RAM mount or the MK stabilization kit: either way, that shaft is then part of the boat: does not move a cm underway once locked down.
Remote Control has more features on Minn Kota vs Rhodan. Yes, that is true because it has more features and options. It's like Tesla: LOTS of options to make the user experience that much greater. BUT, you don't have to use the features. In fact, there is only one button I press on Minn Kota remote: the anchor button for spot locking.
I am not a cheerleader for MK. I have not dog in the fight. Like I noted on another post, I have all three trolling motors on three different boats: Minn Kota 112, 36v, 87" on the Parker 2320 , Motorguide Xi3, 12V, 48" on the Willy Roberts and a Rhodan 24V, 60" on the Parker 1801... Pick one and just do it. For me, I'll only buy MK in the future as I see too many of my Rhodan captains and friends getting Rhodan parts overnight for motherboard failures along with other components.
I will give you that MK Ulterra suck. But, the MK Terrova? Bulletproof. I don't see any of your points above as evidence that Rhodan is the superior choice.
But, I love what you're doing in the industry: You have a knack for building boats better.